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Taking music to the next level: Music and Sound Subsidy Programme Ōtautahi

Hannah Powell
RDU DM 002
Applications for the Music and Sound Subsidy Programme are open now.  Supplied by SALTBOX Studios

Calling all emerging artists in Ōtautahi - a new Music and Sound Subsidy Programme has formed to help musicians in need.

SALTBOX Studios alongside RDU 98.5FM and Tyan Haus, with support from the Christchurch City Council, is offering a subsidy for Christchurch bands and artists to create and promote new work.

The programme will subsidize access for 20 bands or artists to produce unreleased pieces of music in the next year. Successful applicants will receive a full day of recording and producing with a SALTBOX Studio engineer and producer. Applicants will walk away with a song ready to promote and release.

RDU came up with the programme idea after the first Covid-19 lockdown. It stemmed from Soundplant, another programme that involves RDU and SALTBOX, that aims to raise awareness and access to knowledge to help make expenses and revenue meet.

Soundplant brings musicians together to share experiences and raise general knowledge. SALTBOX Studios and RDU Managing Director James Meharry says the Music and Sound Subsidy will encourage musicians to feel capable and confident to create, produce, promote, and perform.

“It might mean the beginning of where they can make a choice in music as a career…because at the moment, a lot of musicians can’t make that choice,” Meharry said.

“You don’t have to scratch the surface to see that musicians are generally struggling…unless you’re making music that is popular culture or mainstream in its attraction.”

Council Events and Arts Manager Lucky Blackmore says the subsidy aligns with their arts and creativity strategy Toi Ōtautahi.

"Staff felt the programme’s focus on upskilling and providing opportunities to underrepresented and lower socio-economic communities would remove access barriers to participation in the arts," Blackmore said.

 

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A University of Canterbury report, ‘Supporting New Zealand Musicians’ (2020) identified nearly 60% of independent and emerging musicians needed financial support. Over 50% required additional support to promote their music and tours.

RDU and SALTBOX Studios General Manager Simon Claridge said the study results showed RDU had the highest engagement across the data collected.

“We were able to understand real information and real data on what musicians on a grass-roots, independent level need,” Claridge said.

Inspired by the report, strategies like the subsidy are being put in place to accommodate the needs of Christchurch’s music scene.

Blackmore says Toi Ōtautahi is an important step forward for the council in recognising the role artists and creatives play in making a vibrant and exciting city.

The Music and Sound Subsidy Programme will offer hands-on learning, equipping artists with the tools and resources to take their work to a new level - now and in the future.

Claridge says it’s about thinking outside the box.

“There are so many layers they will be invited to participate in that will help further their career.”

Meharry says, historically-speaking, commercial radio drives the interest of New Zealand listeners, and the commercial environment has influenced artists’ work and their aspirations.

The Music and Sound Subsidy Programme will offer growth for independent artists from the ground up. 

If you're an independent and emerging artist or band, you can apply now at https://saltboxstudios.nz/music-and-sound-subsidy-programme/.